Privet - Ligustrum sinense

Origin

Behaviour

DescriptionLeaves

FlowersSeeds

Dispersal

Removal

Follow-up

East Asia. Introduced as an ornamental and hedging plant.

Has become a weed in disturbed coastal environmemnts in NSW

Small-leaf privet is a densely branched evergreen shrub 3–7 m tall. Leaves: Oval-shaped leaves occur in opposite pairs and are 1–7 cm long and 0.5–3.5 cm wide. Leaves often have wavy margins and are held at right angles to the stems. Flowers: White, tubular, lobed flowers occur in branched clusters. Berries: 4–10 mm in diameter, green when young, ripening to dull purple or blue–black.

Spread by fall of prolific seeds and by fruit eating birds. The seedlings can survive for long periods in low light and dry conditions allowing the population to flourish when conditions improve.

Hand pulling: Small (<1m) plants onlyCut and Paint: Cut the trunk close to the ground and immediately paint the exposed section with poison

Follow-up: Essential. Small plants are easily identified and come up easily when pulled.